MANCHESTER, N.H. (February 16, 2018) – We sincerely appreciate the challenge that Massachusetts officials and their electric distribution companies (EDCs) are facing as they strive to meet an aggressive goal of obtaining a new and significant source of clean energy within just a few short years. The selection of Northern Pass to deliver that energy was based in part because we can be in-service far ahead of any other project.

The February 1st decision by our state permitting authority to abruptly halt its deliberations and deny our application was a shock to everyone. Today’s decision by the Massachusetts DOER, its Independent Evaluator and the EDCs strikes a sensible balance by allowing negotiations with Northern Pass to continue, while establishing a backup protocol that can be initiated if necessary.

From our perspective, the decision provides Northern Pass with the opportunity to make our case for a rehearing by our N.H. Site Evaluation Committee (SEC) and a resumption of its deliberations.

We have a strong legal argument for a reconsideration by the SEC. There is a path forward. While our negotiations with the EDCs continue, we will also focus on earning reconsideration by the SEC and the necessary permit to begin construction in order to deliver to Massachusetts and the entire New England region the many benefits that Northern Pass will provide.

New Hampshire customers would benefit from $15 million in clean energy funds

MANCHESTER, N.H. (February 12, 2018) – Today, the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission (NHPUC) has approved an agreement that allows Northern Pass Transmission LLC (NPT) to lease transmission rights-of-way from Eversource. In its decision, the NHPUC found that the lease agreement was “in the public good” and provides significant customer benefits. This approval marks the last of three NHPUC approvals needed by NPT. The NHPUC had previously approved granting the project utility status, and also the ability to cross public waters and public lands in order to build the project.

“The benefits Northern Pass will deliver to New Hampshire are significant, and today’s approval by the NHPUC is further confirmation that the project is in the public interest,” said Eversource New Hampshire President Bill Quinlan. “In addition to the $15 million in funding for New Hampshire customers included in this agreement, the project would provide more than $3 billion in economic and environmental benefits to New Hampshire, including additional tax revenue for our communities, good-paying local jobs, and hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of investment in economic development, community betterment, clean energy and tourism.”

Under the agreement, as negotiated with the NHPUC staff and the N.H. Office of Consumer Advocate, NPT agreed to make annual lease payments to Eversource, which would be used to off-set Eversource’s transmission costs – which are borne by customers. Additionally, Northern Pass agreed to make annual payments totaling $15 million over the lifetime of the project. The funds would be under the control and direction of the NHPUC for “programs, projects or other purposes that provide benefits to New Hampshire distribution customers.” These programs may include investments in distributed generation, energy storage, electric vehicles, demand response and other initiatives.

Northern Pass benefits include millions annually in additional tax revenue to communities along the route; $7.5 million to the North Country Job Creation Fund to develop and retain jobs in the North Country; thousands of acres set aside for conservation, recreation and mixed-use; reduced CO2 emissions and energy costs; and the $200 million Forward NH Fund to support clean energy innovations, economic development, community investment, and tourism. Moreover, the project would deliver 1,090 MW of clean, renewable hydroelectric into the region, providing much-needed fuel diversity and helping to stabilize energy prices.

The PUC’s lease order is conditioned on the N.H. Site Evaluation Committee (NHSEC) issuing the project its necessary construction permit. Northern Pass is preparing to file a motion to reopen NHSEC deliberations. The project has received key federal approvals, including a Presidential Permit and final Record of Decision.

The New Hampshire Site Evaluation Committee (SEC) recently voted after only 2.5 days of deliberations to deny Northern Pass a Certificate of Site and Facility, which would have allowed the project to be built in New Hampshire. The SEC’s action shocked many engaged in the process and sent a chilling signal to any developer considering siting new energy infrastructure in New Hampshire. Northern Pass will be submitting a rehearing request soon. You can learn more about how you can participate in this process here.

The SEC, by its own admission, chose to stop its deliberations after considering just half of the legal criteria it is obligated to study under the law. In our view, the SEC failed its most basic responsibility: to fully evaluate our application, including proposed conditions that would address concerns the committee members may have expressed, and to ensure all committee members understand the legal standard and how to apply it in a manner consistent with the law and past precedent. We believe we have a very strong case to make in seeking a rehearing with the SEC or with a court appeal.

The SEC’s cursory review and hasty deliberation are in sharp contrast to the extensive effort Northern Pass undertook to demonstrate that it more than satisfied the legal criteria for project approval. This effort included:

Rigorous environmental reviews and approvals from the NH Department of Environmental Services, the US Department of Energy, and the US Forest Service

New Hampshire and the region have been challenged for years with some of the highest electric rates in the country. This burden has affected Granite State businesses and manufacturers, home owners and communities alike. Northern Pass is the most advanced clean energy project in the region, and able to deliver lower energy costs, improved reliability, and lower carbon emissions—as early as 2020. In addition, it will provide more than $3 billion in economic and environmental benefits to New Hampshire.

We feel strongly that the merits of the project, including the robust benefits it will provide, are too important for Granite State energy consumers to let the SEC’s recent decision stand. Northern Pass must be reconsidered fairly, with appropriate conditions, to ensure that it moves forward expeditiously.

We are shocked and outraged by today’s SEC outcome. The process failed to comply with New Hampshire law and did not reflect the substantial evidence on the record. As a result, the most viable near-term solution to the region’s energy challenges, as well as $3 billion of NH job, tax, and other benefits, are now in jeopardy. Clearly, the SEC process is broken and this decision sends a chilling message to any energy project contemplating development in the Granite State. We will be seeking reconsideration of the SEC’s decision, as well as reviewing all options for moving this critical clean energy project forward.

Project will provide clean and affordable power, lower emissions, and local jobs

Officials in Massachusetts announced today that a bid submitted by Eversource and Hydro-Québec (HQ) to utilize Northern Pass Transmission (NPT) to deliver significant amounts of hydropower to the New England grid has been selected in the Massachusetts Clean Energy solicitation. With this decision, Northern Pass is well-positioned to provide a firm delivery of 1,090 megawatts of hydropower year-round that will lower energy costs and reduce carbon emissions in the region.

“The clean, affordable power flowing over Northern Pass into the New England grid in 2020 will provide customers in the Commonwealth and throughout the region with much-needed energy price stability and emissions reductions and will deliver significant economic and environmental benefits to the region for years to come,” said Eversource Executive Vice President of Enterprise Strategy and Business Development Lee Olivier. “We are pleased with the decision announced today, and appreciate the thorough review by the Massachusetts bid evaluation team.”

The Northern Pass transmission line begins at the Canadian border in Pittsburg, New Hampshire and extends 192 miles to Deerfield, New Hampshire where it connects to the New England electric grid. More than 80 percent of the line will be located along existing transmission corridors or buried along roadways, eliminating potential view impacts in and around the White Mountain National Forest. Northern Pass will provide a new and robust interconnection path between the Québec and New England electric systems controlled by the regional system operator, ISO-New England.

“This is a major milestone in the energy transition underway in the Northeast. We are pleased and proud to be a part of it,” said Éric Martel, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hydro-Québec. “Hydro-Québec’s clean, reliable power, along with our proven delivery capability were highly valued by decision makers.”

The solicitation process was the result of a law passed in 2016 by the Massachusetts Legislature to provide new sources of clean energy by 2020. Northern Pass will provide up to 9.4 terawatt hours of hydropower that the Massachusetts legislation requires on an annual basis, while helping the Bay State achieve its clean energy goals. The project will also reduce wholesale energy costs, diversify the region’s energy mix, and help fill the gap created by the retirement of older power plants. Northern Pass will also help reduce reliance on fossil-fueled sources, particularly during the winter months when the gas pipeline system into New England is constrained.

The selected bid is a proposal to build an electric transmission line to bring 100 percent hydropower to the New England electric grid. The bid highlights the project’s advanced development and Eversource’s extensive experience in building and operating the electric transmission grid in the region. Northern Pass will deliver clean hydroelectric energy from HQ’s resources to the New England electric grid.

To provide additional benefits, Northern Pass has finalized an agreement with leading Massachusetts low-income advocates, including Action for Boston Community Development, Action, Inc., and the National Consumer Law Center, which commits $10 million in funding over 20 years to support low-income energy programs and services for Massachusetts low-income customers.

New Hampshire, as the host state for Northern Pass, will receive new property tax revenues and additional benefits to promote community betterment and economic development. The project enjoys strong support from many of New Hampshire’s business leaders, labor organizations and elected officials.

Northern Pass expects to receive all state and federal permits by early 2018. The Province of Québec recently announced that it has granted HQ a permit to construct the hydroelectric transmission line that will connect with Northern Pass at the U.S. border. All major contractor and equipment contracts are fully executed to begin construction by mid-2018. A comprehensive project labor agreement with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers has been executed and is expected to generate thousands of jobs during peak construction for both Massachusetts and New Hampshire workers. Northern Pass is expected to be in service by the end of 2020.

The Northern Pass is a 192-mile electric transmission line project that will bring to New England 1,090 megawatts of clean hydropower. This reliable and affordable source of power will also bring a wide range of benefits to the region, including millions of dollars in energy cost savings and a significant reduction in carbon emissions. To learn more about Northern Pass, go to www.northernpass.us.

Eversource (NYSE: ES) is New Hampshire’s largest electric utility, serving more than 500,000 homes and businesses in 211 cities and towns, and also supplies water to approximately 9,300 homes and businesses in Hampton, North Hampton and Rye. Eversource is proud to be recognized as the top contributor to United Way in New Hampshire. Recognized as the top U.S. utility for its energy efficiency programs by the sustainability advocacy organization Ceres, Eversource harnesses the commitment of its more than 8,000 employees across three states to build a single, united company around the mission of safely delivering reliable energy and water with superior customer service. For more information, please visit our website (www.eversource.com) and follow us on Twitter (@eversourceNH) and Facebook (facebook.com/EversourceNH). For more information on our water services, visit www.aquarionwater.com.

Northern Pass is in position to deliver the largest amount of clean power to New England a full two years faster than all competing projects. CLF’s repeated attacks on the project are based on a financial deal it cut with a competing project in Vermont proposed by a New York developer. As an administrator of a fund in excess of $250 million associated with that project, CLF has a clear conflict of interest that it does not disclose when it attempts to diminish the importance of the substantial benefits Northern Pass will provide directly to Massachusetts, New Hampshire and the rest of New England:

Support for the project – Northern Pass has earned the support and respect of New Hampshire’s largest businesses and chambers of commerce, as well as the governor, legislative leaders, organized labor and many of the state’s small businesses, workers and service providers who will benefit from the project’s $1.6 billion investment.

We are proud of the work that has been done to this point to provide to our state and federal siting authorities and the Massachusetts RFP evaluators the facts they require. And, we are confident that our balanced approach, respectful of many varied interests, will prove it fully qualified to succeed.

Northern Pass today filed its final brief with the New Hampshire Site Evaluation Committee. This is a significant step that will lead into the deliberative sessions beginning on January 30. The Executive Summary of this brief highlights our position that Northern Pass satisfies the four statutory criteria necessary for issuance of a Certificate of Site and Facility.

Northern Pass will host its second Job & Supplier Fair in Concord in January to highlight the opportunities available for workers, businesses and those providing services to the many workers who will be needed to build the project.

People interested in working on the project or providing sub-contracting services can meet with the team leading the construction of Northern Pass at the event. Business owners in the hospitality and other service industries should also consider attending to discuss the opportunities available serving the many workers constructing the project.

Northern Pass expects to conclude the federal and state approval process in early 2018, and anticipates construction will begin by mid-April 2018. Some of the opportunities available include:

For a full list, go to www.northernpass.us/job-registration.htm, and for more information about job opportunities available through Northern Pass, call 1-855-NPT-JOBS or email nptjobs@northernpass.us.

Northern Pass Meets with North Country Workers in Whitefield

Northern Pass hosted its first Job & Supplier Fair in Whitefield on December 13, drawing more than 200 people to the Mountain View Grand to learn about the opportunities available to workers and businesses in the region. On hand were the project’s general contractor, PAR Electrical Contractors, Inc., as well as Quanta Services and M.J. Electric LLC, to discuss the kind of positions they are looking to fill when construction of Northern Pass begins. Representatives from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the union’s apprentice programs also attended. Northern Pass has signed a project labor agreement (PLA) with the IBEW, agreeing to hire local workers first.

People who attended spoke with contractors, construction companies and organizations, including the Coös County Business and Employers Group, Realtime Utility Engineers, Inc., Milwaukee Tools and Buckingham Tools.

Local businesses in the service and hospitality industries also met with representatives from Northern Pass about joining the Business Directory, a list of local services available to the project’s many workers, such as restaurants, gas stations, retail stores, laundromats, auto repairs, hotels and recreational opportunities. A copy of the business directory will be given to everyone working on the Northern Pass project.

SEC Review of Northern Pass Nears Completion

The New Hampshire Site Evaluation Committee (SEC) issued a notice of deliberations in November, signaling the final stage of the state permitting process for Northern Pass. Twelve days of public deliberations will begin January 30, leading to an oral decision by February 23, and a final written decision by March 31. With the state, federal and Canadian permitting processes nearing completion, Northern Pass is on track to begin construction by spring 2018 and in-service by the end of 2020.

Testimony Concludes at Final Hearings

The final hearings before the SEC finished in December, concluding the testimony and cross-examination of more than 120 witnesses. Briefs from the parties including their final arguments, will be filed with the SEC in mid-January. Counsel for the Public and intervenor briefs are due January 12 and Northern Pass’ brief is due January 19.

2017: Major Progress as Northern Pass Nears the Finish Line

Northern Pass achieved a number of milestones this year, positioning itself as the most advanced clean energy project in New England. From the issuance of the Presidential Permit to securing major contractors, Northern Pass enters 2018 expecting the conclusion of the state and federal permitting process and construction to begin in the spring.

JANUARY

The New Hampshire Supreme Court ruled that the proposal by Northern Pass to use public highways for underground installation of electric transmission lines is clearly allowed under state law. The decision upholds a previous ruling by the NH Superior Court that dismissed a claim by the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests.

MARCH

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services issued four key approvals of the project pertaining to the Wetland, Shoreland and Alteration of Terrain permits, and the 401 Water Quality Certificate.

APRIL

The New Hampshire Department of Transportation issued its final report to the New Hampshire Site Evaluation Committee (SEC) recommending approval of the project.

JUNE

The New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission (PUC) approved a request by Northern Pass to cross public waters and public lands to construct the 192-mile hydroelectric transmission line project. In granting the licenses, the PUC found that the crossings will not interfere with the public’s use of the land and waters affected by the crossings.

JULY

Eversource and Hydro-Québec submitted two proposals in response to the Massachusetts Clean Energy solicitation. Both proposals would use the Northern Pass Transmission project to deliver significant amounts of clean energy to the New England grid, interconnecting in New Hampshire.

AUGUST

The DOE issued the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Northern Pass transmission project, concluding that the proposed route is the “preferred alternative,” that the project provides substantial benefits, and will result in only minimal impacts.

The SEC hosted a public comment session, the last of 26 state and federal public comment sessions held on Northern Pass during which residents could share their thoughts on the project with officials.

The DOE finalized a Programmatic Agreement regarding Northern Pass that prescribes the steps necessary to complete the federal and state agency review of historic and archeological resources, including addressing any adverse effect.

Eversource, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Quanta Services, Inc., and ABB Inc. finalized a comprehensive Project Labor Agreement and reaffirmed its commitment to hiring local workers first.

The U.S. Forest Service released its draft Record of Decision recommending that the agency issue a special use permit allowing Northern Pass to bury approximately 11 miles of transmission lines in areas along existing roads through the White Mountain National Forest.

NOVEMBER

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) approved the Presidential Permit for the Northern Pass allowing the project to construct transmission facilities at the U.S./Canada border in Pittsburg.The staff of the PUC, the New Hampshire Office of the Consumer Advocate, Eversource, and Northern Pass reached a settlement that will enable Northern Pass to lease transmission rights-of-way from Eversource and sets aside $15 million for New Hampshire electric customers for “programs, projects or other purposes that provide benefits to New Hampshire distribution customers.”

DECEMBER

The SEC concluded the final hearings on Northern Pass on December 20, after approximately 70 days of testimony.

The Province of Québec granted Hydro-Québec (HQ) a permit to construct the hydroelectric transmission line that will connect with the Northern Pass project at the U.S. border.

The Forest Service says project is in “public interest” and provides “meaningful benefits to air quality” in the Forest

Manchester, N.H. (January 8, 2018) – The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) has released its final Record of Decision (ROD) allowing Northern Pass Transmission to bury approximately eleven miles of transmission lines in areas along existing roads through the White Mountain National Forest (WMNF). The decision is the result of a thorough environmental analysis and public engagement process led by two WMNF supervisors over a seven-year period, and comes on the heels of a Record of Decision and Presidential Permit issued by the U.S. Department of Energy late last year. The USFS will issue the necessary Special Use Authorization to allow the project to be buried within the WMNF. With these approvals secured, the project is well-positioned to begin construction in mid-2018, and to bring an additional 1,090 MW of much-needed clean hydroelectric power into the region by late 2020.

“We appreciate the diligent work done by the USFS and WMNF staff over the years, and are gratified that they have concluded the benefits of Northern Pass more than outweigh the short-term construction impacts on the Forest,” said Eversource New Hampshire President Bill Quinlan. “When we proposed an underground cable for the WMNF portion of the route, we believed it was the best option for the Forest and for New Hampshire. We’re pleased to see that the USFS agrees.”

The Forest Service notes that Northern Pass will increase the reliability of New England’s power supply, by reducing reliance on imported natural gas; help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions consistent with public policy goals and the New Hampshire Climate Action Plan; and, provide “meaningful benefits to air quality” in the WMNF.

Highlights from the Final ROD include:

“Meeting long-term energy needs in a sustainable, secure, and cost effective manner for this region of the country is certainly in the public’s interest.”

“I believe that the Project will benefit the public by providing a low-carbon, non-intermittent, and diversified source of electricity for the people of New Hampshire and New England.”

“Burial of the transmission line through the WMNF resolved Forest Plan consistency issues related to visuals and effects on the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.”

In 2015, Northern Pass announced an improved route that included 52 additional miles of underground to avoid any potential view impacts in and around the WMNF or along the Appalachian Trail. The final ROD supports the project’s conclusion that burial along Interstate 93 is not a reasonable alternative, and states that the improved route “is a reasonable way to transmit electrical power through the WMNF in a minimally impactful way when considering all available alternatives.”

MANCHESTER, N.H. (January 3, 2018) – New Hampshire workers and businesses, including suppliers, subcontractors, and the services and hospitality industries, will have the opportunity next week in Concord to meet with the team leading the construction of Northern Pass at a second Job & Supplier Fair. Attendees can discuss the kinds of jobs, subcontractor opportunities, and supplies that are needed to complete Eversource’s 192-mile hydroelectric transmission line, and businesses can learn how to reach the many people who will be working on Northern Pass over the multi-year construction period. Northern Pass will create or generate 2,600 jobs at the peak of its construction.

“Northern Pass has long been committed to hiring New Hampshire workers first and these fairs are a way for us to follow through on that commitment,” said Eversource New Hampshire President Bill Quinlan. “We encourage everyone to attend and learn about the many opportunities available for local businesses and workers.”

Details of the Job & Supplier Fair:

Wednesday, January 10

3:00-8:00 p.m.

Grappone Conference Center

70 Constitution Ave., Concord, N.H.

At a very successful December 13 fair in Whitefield, more than 200 people came out to discuss the many job opportunities available on the project. The upcoming fair in Concord will be a similar event where members of the public can meet face-to-face with representatives from the project and the construction team.

PAR Electrical Contractors, Inc. the largest outside plant electrical contracting company in North America and is the General Contractor for the Northern Pass construction project with offices located in Bow, N.H.

Helmets to Hardhats, a national, nonprofit program that connects National Guard, Reserve, retired and transitioning active-duty military service members with skilled training and quality career opportunities in the construction industry

Northern Pass project representatives, on hand to discuss the project’s business directory, a list of local services available to the project’s many workers, such as restaurants, gas stations, retail stores, laundromats, auto repairs, hotels and recreational opportunities. A copy of the business directory will be given to everyone working on the Northern Pass project

The U.S. Department of Energy recently issued Northern Pass its Presidential Permit. The project expects to conclude the federal and state approval process in early 2018, and anticipates construction will begin by mid-April 2018.

The Northern Pass is a 192-mile electric transmission line project that will bring to New England 1,090 megawatts of clean hydropower. This reliable and affordable source of power will also bring a wide range of benefits to the region, including millions of dollars in energy cost savings and a significant reduction in carbon emissions. To learn more about Northern Pass, go to www.northernpass.us.

Eversource (NYSE: ES) is New Hampshire’s largest electric utility, serving more than 500,000 homes and businesses in 211 cities and towns, and also supplies water to approximately 9,300 homes and businesses in Hampton, North Hampton and Rye. Eversource is proud to be recognized as the top contributor to United Way in New Hampshire. Recognized as the top U.S. utility for its energy efficiency programs by the sustainability advocacy organization Ceres, Eversource harnesses the commitment of its more than 8,300 employees across three states to build a single, united company around the mission of safely delivering reliable energy and water with superior customer service. For more information, please visit our website (www.eversource.com) and follow us on Twitter (@eversourceNH) and Facebook (facebook.com/EversourceNH). For more information on our water services, visit www.aquarionwater.com.